Toronto, Ontario -- Electric vehicles are shedding one of their most persistent myths: that they depreciate too quickly to justify repair. New data from J.D. Power’s 2026 Canada ALG Residual Value Awards claims to show electrified vehicles are among the highest-retaining segments of the Canadian market — fundamentally changing how EVs factor into total loss decisions.
Nearly two-thirds (65.5 percent) of award-winning models feature some form of electrification, while roughly one-fifth are fully electric. As residual values strengthen, EVs and high-voltage vehicles are increasingly clearing higher repair thresholds before being written off — keeping more complex repairs in play and extending vehicle lifecycles well beyond early assumptions.
For EV repairers, this shift is significant. Residual value directly influences what insurers are willing to repair. As EVs close the depreciation gap with ICE vehicles, repair-versus-replace decisions increasingly hinge on proper procedures, battery safety, structural integrity and OEM documentation — not default write-offs.
Toyota and Lexus once again led the 2026 awards, with Toyota earning top mass-market brand honours for the seventh consecutive year and Lexus leading the premium segment for the sixth straight year. Many of their award-winning models rely on hybrid or electrified platforms, reinforcing the trend toward long-term value retention in high-voltage vehicles.
J.D. Power evaluated 294 model lines across 26 segments for model year 2026, assessing used-vehicle performance, brand outlook and product competitiveness. Brand awards require representation in at least four segments, with results weighted by trim-level market share.
Electrified Vehicles Among Top Residual Performers
Award-winning electrified models include:
- Fully Electric: GMC Hummer EV SUT and SUV; Porsche Taycan; Subaru Solterra
- Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Platforms:
- Toyota: Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Corolla Cross, Tacoma, Tundra, Sienna
- Lexus: NX, UX, LX
- Subaru: Forester
While hybrids still dominate the list, the growing presence of fully electric vehicles among high-residual performers underscores a critical reality: EVs are no longer short-term assets. They are staying on the road longer — and staying in bodyshops longer.
For EV repair professionals, the message is unavoidable. Higher residuals mean higher repair expectations, greater technical scrutiny and increased pressure to get EV repairs right. The industry is not heading toward fewer EV repairs — it is heading toward more complicated ones.
